Advancing Agriculture Through Diplomacy and Leadership
For Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali, agriculture has always been more than crops and commodities. It is about markets, diplomacy, and building bridges across borders. His professional journey — from a diplomatic posting in Europe to leading a global network — reflects that conviction.
From March 2020 to March 2024, Salim served as Malaysia’s Agriculture Counsellor at the Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague, a role that placed him at the heart of one of the world’s most competitive food and agriculture markets. His work went beyond traditional diplomacy: he spearheaded the promotion and marketing of Malaysian agricultural products, championed efforts to open new market access across the United Kingdom, Europe, and Russia, and resolved trade issues affecting Malaysia’s agriculture sector. In an era of shifting supply chains and growing demands for sustainability, his mission was clear — to strengthen Malaysia’s agricultural presence on the global stage.
Upon his return, Salim joined the International Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, where he continued to navigate the complexities of international trade. He served as lead negotiator for the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) chapters in key Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including the Malaysia-Korea FTA, the Malaysia-EU FTA, and Costa Rica’s accession to the CPTPP. He also played a central role as Malaysia’s focal point for agricultural matters in the World Trade Organization (WTO), ensuring that national interests were safeguarded in global negotiations.
This combination of diplomacy, negotiation, and strategic vision has now culminated in his appointment, on 1 July 2025, as Chief Executive Officer of the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet).
Founded in 2000 under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, TFNet is an intergovernmental and inter-institutional organization headquartered in Malaysia. Its mission is to promote the sustainable production, marketing, and trade of tropical fruits through capacity building, policy development, and research. Today, TFNet unites member countries, industry players, and researchers to address issues ranging from market access and value chain development to climate resilience and food security.
A flagship event under TFNet’s banner is the International Symposium on Tropical Fruits (ISTF), held every year.
The upcoming ISTF 2025, hosted by Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia, on 23-25 September 2025, will bring together scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore innovation, sustainability, and trade opportunities. With the theme “Advancing the Global Production and Trade of Minor Tropical Fruits for Sustainable Markets”, the symposium will spotlight the untapped commercial potential of minor tropical fruits, positioning them as the next frontier in global agriculture. ISTF2025 will be a hybrid event, and participants can register at www.itfnet.org/istf2025.
For Salim, the event marks both a professional milestone and a symbol of continuity. “My years as a diplomat and trade negotiator taught me the importance of access — access to markets, to technology, and to fair opportunities,” he reflects.
“At TFNet, I want to bring that spirit of inclusion and collaboration, to ensure tropical fruits take their rightful place in the global food system.”
From forging market access in Europe to shaping trade agreements, and now steering TFNet toward an essential international symposium, Muhamed Salim’s path has been defined by a singular purpose: advancing agriculture as a driver of shared prosperity.
